Tattooing can be a painful procedure, but thanks to advances in medical research getting a tattoo does not necessarily has to be a painful procedure. Over the counter numbing creams are scientifically formulated topical anesthetics that can reduce and at times even eliminate the pain of getting tattooed.

If you want to get a tattoo but you cannot bear the pain, or you are planning to get a tattoo in a sensitive area you can ask the tattoo artist to use numbing cream before the procedure. Using numbing cream can has serious side effect, you must consult a doctor before using it.

How does numbing cream work?

There are many types of topical anesthetics available. Most of these contain a primary ingredient called Lidocaine, which is most suitable for relieving pain associated with tattooing, surgery or even waxing. Lidocaine allows numbing cream to block signals from the nerve endings to be delivered to the brain.

Here are certain advantages of using numbing cream before tattooing –

Painless tattooing

Irrespective of the size of the tattoo, you want the procedure to be as little painful as possible. Using numbing cream can help you achieve this. Numbing creams can even make tattooing in the most sensitive areas of the body least painful. Numbing creams can help you live out the entire tattooing procedure in one go – for which otherwise you may have to take a break or even a few days to help ease the pain, swelling or even the irritation associated with tattooing.

Lasting effect

Numbing creams can keep the skin insensitive for three to four hours, which suggests you can have a long tattoo session with the pinching pain of the needles.

Relax and let the artist concentrate

A relaxed and comfortable you ensures, the artist working on your body can concentrate more on the tattoo than on how you are feeling. Artists generally get distracted when you’re feeling the pain and when you’re uncomfortable on the chair. With use of numbing cream, you will feel less pain and will be able to allow the artist to feel more relaxed inking your body.

Tattoos in the most sensitive areas

Where you want a tattoo decides what you are going to get made. With numbing cream you have the ability to decide to have a tattoo in the most sensitive areas without the worry of pain.

How to apply numbing cream

• Wash the area to be used thoroughly
• Apply a thin layer of numbing cream (once the area is dry) and leave it to dry for sometime

Just before the treatment on the area, scrape off the numbing cream (you can even wash it).